The Reverend Walter Collins died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at the Lower Florida Keys Hospital on Stock Island.
Walt had been hospitalized almost three weeks ago after his health began to rapidly deteriorate. Doctors subsequently discovered a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and although usually treatable, due to his frail constitution and low body weight, it was decided that neither invasive surgery or chemotherapy would be advisable.
Walt was born on January 9, 1931, the oldest of three children. His father was killed at Pearl Harbor, and he himself joined the United States Navy, where he spent time stationed here in Key West in the early 1950’s. He later studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood, but left after deciding that continuing would conflict with his sexuality.
He continued with both his ministry and his decision to live as an openly gay man, however, despite harassment and criticism from an unwelcome and often hostile society. He pastored churches in Topeka and San Diego before settling in central Florida.
Walt joined the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) shortly after its formation in the late 1960’s and had been an active and dedicated member ever since.
Walt was diagnosed with HIV in 1984, and at the time was given only six months to live. He moved to Key West that same year, where he has lived ever since, the last two spent at the Bayshore Retirement Village. He served as Pastor of the MCC Church here for a number of years.
Walt was a kind and unassuming man. Small of stature, with a trademark crooked nose broken several times and in several places from an active life playing sports, he was a rabid fan of professional wrestling, and was good friends with many on the circuit from his time spent in central Florida. “WWF Raw,” carried live at 9pm on Monday, was in fact the last program on television that he watched. Even in his frail condition, he cheered his favorites and was quick to offer commentary on the various goings-on.
His favorite movie, however, was a far cry from the raucous violence and intensity of professional wrestling. That same afternoon he watched “The Sound of Music” one last time.
Walt was active in many charitable organizations on the island, the closest to his heart being the Key West AIDS Memorial (www.cyberconch.com/aidskw). Walt lost many friends over the years to the disease, including his lover of many years, Michael Warren Spencer, who he met at the Atlantic Shores’ Tea Dance. At one of his last public appearances, ailing and wheelchair-bound, and despite pain and a difficult time even moving, he was sure to reach down and touch Spencer’s name prior to the start of the Fifth Annual Service for Tolerance and Understanding that was held at the site on Sunday, June 8. Spencer’s name is engraved at the White Street Pier Memorial.
Walt was also quick to “tell it like it is.” Although he was a man of the cloth, he was also a sailor and he frequently (and hilariously) swore like one. “You think the air’s hot now, wait ‘til these goddamned bastards start talking,” he said at the event, which began late, the subject of which also was a target of his wry wit and choice language. Even from his hospital bed he swore up a storm, breaking an often otherwise somber mood, and bringing big smiles to the faces of his nurses and the many visitors coming to see him.
Walt was also a friend to animals, and owned many pets over the course of his long and active life. At one point, he reported owning two dogs, three cats, a bird and a ferret, all while he lived in a one bedroom apartment. Among those saying goodbye to him in the last weeks of his life were his canine friends from the Key West Kritter Patrol, a local group of volunteers that provides homes for abandoned pets, offers free spay and neutering services, and coordinates “pet therapy” sessions which allow the sick and elderly to enjoy the healthy benefits of loving interactions with other people’s animals. The Kritter Patrol was among his favorite charity groups.
He was a very stoic man and quiet about his pain. He even initially refused morphine injections because he was concerned that he might become addicted, until, at the end, when he was administered a morphine drip to ease his suffering. He lost consciousness around midnight on Monday.
Prior to going into his deep and final sleep, however, with a tear running down the hollows of his sunken cheek, he uttered his final words: “You are all so precious to me.”
The Reverend Walter Collins was 72. He is survived by two brothers and countless loving friends, who will celebrate his life and ministry with a memorial service at MCC Key West, Saturday, June 28th, at 4:00 pm. All are invited to remember him and his work.
Donations in his name should be directed to The Reverend Rev. Geoff D. Leonard-Robinson, MCC Key West, 1215 Petronia Street, Key West, Florida 33040, (305) 294-8912.
